What Do I Have?

[Mbuniac]

As I have posted previously, our local pet store has no clue of the identities of the fish they sell. The salesperson told me she thought I was buying Cobalt Zebras. I informed her that they definitely were not. Of course I didn't know what they were either(real smart purchase), so I will try my best to describe them.
In overall appearance they are a light blueish color. They are actually a light blue/gray with dark blue/gray vertical stripes. Body shape is rounded on top is like Zebras, Bumblebees, etc, but on the bottom it is flatter. There is a dark gray stripe that runs across the eyes that is outlined in a definite light blue. They have metallic blue spots (freckles?) in front of the gill slit. No egg spots visible. Anyone have an idea what I have?
Thanks, Sam(the impulse buyer) :roll:

[Boilermaker]

Sounds like an Electra Sam with the stripe through the eye, don't know the new genera name it used to be Hap. Electra.

[SGypsyMermaid]

this is a pic of a placidochromis electra:

http://cichlidae.com/articles/a050/a026-2.jpg

[Mbuniac]

Man I wish I had a digital camera now! Nope, it's not electra. It is more of a gray/blue. The stipes on it's side are a darker blue/gray. The stripe that runs from the outside of each eye across the forhead is the same color as the stripes on the side, but is outlined in light blue. The body is flatter on the bottom than it is on the top (sort of like the Electric Yellow-Labidochromis caeruleus), but maybe the body is slightly more elongated. If any of you have a copy of the paperback book "The Guide to Owning Malawi Cichlids" by David E. Boruchowitz, there is a picture on page 19 of a batch of mixed Malawi cichlids in the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, CA. The fish in the center of the picture looks like them, but can't see stripes perhaps from the flash? I know I haven't explained this very well, but I can see them just as plain as day and don't understand why the rest of you can't??? :wink:

[SGypsyMermaid]

how about lab. chisimulae?

http://cichlidae.netliberte.org/CICHLIDS/chisumulae.htm

there's a better pic on page fifty-three of [u:cfd35d430f]back to nature guide of lake malawi cichlids[/u:cfd35d430f]

[SGypsyMermaid]

the stripe that runs across the eye--does it run vertically, horizontally, or diagonally? are you sure the fish is malawian? does it look like it could be tang. or vic.?

[Mbuniac]

:D "SUPERGypsyMermaid"!! You're a doll! That's the critter! Do you know anything about this guy (before I look it up) like common name, personality, size, etc. I really appreciate you staying with this!
Thanks Mucho, Sam

[SGypsyMermaid]

MOST EXCELLENT! :mrgreen: --typical labidochromis temperament--maybe slightly milder in temperament than some of the others; insectivore--insects, mollusks, crustaceans--though as with any mbuna--i'm sure some spirulina in the diet would be beneficial, but it's not required as the main diet--this is one of the meat-eating mbuna. enjoy him--he's a gorgeous fish!

[Mbuniac]

Common name: "Clown" I have no idea why, they are aggressive little suckers! And I do mean "little". Looks like the adult size is 3.5"-4", so the two I have are almost as big as they are going to get. Oh well, they'll have plenty of caves. Thanks again! I really appreciate your help, it was driving me crazy (crazier?).
Sam

[SGypsyMermaid]

any time :D

[M_sfan87]

I hate it when they call them "mix cichlids" :x

[cichestlad]

:shock: :? sounds like a lombardoi f/m to smee

[Mbuniac]

Nope, they're definitely Labidochromis chisumulae. Thanks anyway.
Sam